Apart from a handful of privately operated examples, Pattaya has no [[Thailand#Tuk-tuk|tuk-tuk]]s and most ad hoc local transport is undertaken by a flotilla of over 700 dark blue coloured [[Thailand#Songthaew|songthaews]], pickup trucks converted to buses, also called '''Baht Buses'''. The fare is 10 baht for trips within Pattaya, for locals and foreigners. Having the correct change is by no means essential, but does keep the potential hassle factor to a minimum. In the past, dual pricing applied (technically 5 baht base fare, but generally only applied to locals, with a 10 baht fare for foreigners) and some drivers will shortchange you on a 20 baht note if you don't act like you know what you're doing, but most will return 10 baht. Avoid asking destination when using songthaew, as many drivers will charge 100-200 baht. If you know the direction, it's recommended to just ride the songthaew without asking for a destination. That way you will just pay 10 baht per person no matter how far you go.

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Apart from a handful of privately operated examples, Pattaya has no [[Thailand#Tuk-tuk|tuk-tuk]]s and most ad hoc local transport is undertaken by a flotilla of over 700 dark blue coloured [[Thailand#Songthaew|songthaews]], pickup trucks converted to buses, also called '''Baht Buses'''. The fare is 10 baht for trips within (and between) Pattaya and Jomtien, for locals and foreigners. Having the correct change is by no means essential, but does keep the potential hassle factor to a minimum. In the past, dual pricing applied (technically 5 baht base fare, but generally only applied to locals, with a 10 baht fare for foreigners) and some drivers will shortchange you on a 20 baht note if you don't act like you know what you're doing, but most will return 10 baht. Avoid asking destination when using songthaew, as many drivers will charge 100-200 baht. If you know the direction, it's recommended to just ride the songthaew without asking for a destination. That way you will just pay 10 baht per person no matter how far you go.

Flat fares only apply when operating as a bus. Beware the driver of an otherwise empty songthaew, especially one that's parked at the roadside, who might presume that you want to charter a taxi, in which case expect a much higher fare of 100 baht or more, depending on your negotiating skills. Taxis in Pattaya do not use the metres at all, and unless you can speak Thai, start at 150 baht and up.

Flat fares only apply when operating as a bus. Beware the driver of an otherwise empty songthaew, especially one that's parked at the roadside, who might presume that you want to charter a taxi, in which case expect a much higher fare of 100 baht or more, depending on your negotiating skills. Taxis in Pattaya do not use the metres at all, and unless you can speak Thai, start at 150 baht and up.

Revision as of 21:28, 10 January 2013

This article is about Pattaya proper. Jomtien is covered in a separate article.

Signs in Pattaya

Pattaya (พัทยา) is a seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok. Pattaya is mostly famous for its go-go and beer bars, but local authorities have made some efforts to provide more family-friendly attractions and activities. Although the sex industry is still going strong and sex tourism remains the key money earner for Pattaya, the resort also attracts local families and holidaymakers from around the world. If you are going to be offended by the sight of fat old men hand in hand with young Thai women, then Pattaya is probably not the place for you.

Efforts by local authorities over the past few years have improved the quality of the beaches, but they are still lacklustre by Thailand's standards, and over-development has long since destroyed some of the natural charms the area once had. However, the plethora of hotels and guest houses, and easy access from the capital and airport, make it a popular weekend getaway. Catering for over five million annual visitors, Pattaya is also able to offer an excellent range of eating options and a wide variety of things to do. Its population is a colourful mix of nationalities and ethnicities from near and far.

Pattaya occupies most of the coastline of Bang Lamung District (one of the eleven districts that comprise Chonburi Province). This article only deals with Pattaya proper, which spans the areas to the east of Naklua Beach and Pattaya Beach, plus the Buddha Hill headland (which is immediately south of Pattaya Beach). Jomtien is covered in a separate article, and contains Jomtien Beach and the areas east of it, including Dongtan Beach. The beaches of Jomtien are much broader and generally in a better shape, and the atmosphere locally is more sedate and family-oriented than at Pattaya Beach.

Understand

Orientation

Map of major roads in Pattaya (not to scale)

Pattaya's downtown area is easy to get around. Running north-south, a few hundred metres apart, are Beach Road (Thanon Hat Pattaya, sometimes also referred to as First Road) which borders the main beach (Hat Pattaya), Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Third Road (with the smaller but busy Soi Buakhao in between), and the main Sukhumvit Road coastal highway. Beach Road is one-way (southbound), likewise Second Road (northbound).

These are connected by the three major east-west aligned roads: North Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Nua), Central Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Klang) and South Pattaya Road (Thanon Pattaya Tai). North Pattaya Road is a dual carriageway and carries the highest volume of traffic to and from Sukhumvit Road.

Also connecting Beach Road and Second Road are a large number of smaller streets or "sois". The main sois are numbered from 1 to 16, from north to south. Sois 1-6 are between North Pattaya Road and Central Pattaya Road; sois 7-13 are between Central Pattaya Road and South Pattaya Road (including the "Pattayaland" sois, immediately north of South Pattaya Road); sois 14-16 are south of South Pattaya Road. Most of these east-west sois are (in theory at least) one-way.

Beach Road, Second Road, and North Pattaya Road (plus Naklua Road to the north) all meet at the Dolphin Roundabout landmark. Heavy traffic and frequent accidents here have resulted in a semi-permanent diversion being set up which, at peak times, prevents vehicles (except motorcycles) from continuing around this roundabout any further than the North Pattaya Road exit, pending the installation of traffic lights some time in 2006.

Second Road south of South Pattaya Road becomes Pratamnak Road, which shares a junction with both the southern end of Third Road and the northern end of the main road to Jomtien, Tappraya Road.

Beach Road south of South Pattaya Road is closed to vehicles in the evenings (currently 18:00-02:00) and is called Walking Street; it's the main tourist area, both for nightlife and shopping. Other major tourism areas include the section of Second Road between sois 1-4, and the sois immediately north of South Pattaya Road.

At the southern end of Walking Street is the New Pier, usually called Bali Hai Pier (sometimes "Pattaya Pier" or "South Pier"). The Old Pier, close to the junction of Beach Road and South Pattaya Road, is still shown on most maps but was dismantled and removed at the beginning of 2006.

Sub-districts

South is central, Central is north
Pattaya's sub-district names sometimes cause confusion, usually when the official Pattaya Bay area titles (North Pattaya, Central Pattaya, South Pattaya) are misunderstood. These names don't relate to Pattaya as a whole, instead they refer to the sections of Pattaya Beach to which each sub-district is aligned.

Pattaya's coastal side is divided longitudinally into five contiguous sub-districts (or six, if also including Jomtien). Each one is named after the section of beach or headland at its seaboard.

In the middle are the three Pattaya Bay sub-districts, which share the main Baht Bus route (so most places are within 5 minutes / 10 baht of most other places, at any hour) and have much else in common, and hence in combination make up the main quasi-downtown zone:

North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) - not the northern-most part of Pattaya (as Naklua lies further north), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the northern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of North Pattaya Road. Does not include Naklua.

South Pattaya (Pattaya Tai) - not the southern-most part of Pattaya (as the Buddha Hill headland, and then Jomtien, lie further south), but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the southern end of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of South Pattaya Road. Includes Pattayaland and Walking Street. Does not include Buddha Hill or Jomtien.

Central Pattaya (Pattaya Klang) - not the dead center of Pattaya, but the section of Pattaya adjacent to the middle of Pattaya Beach and extending inland to both the north and south of Central Pattaya Road. Some maps/guides disregard the Central Pattaya convention, and instead extend North Pattaya and South Pattaya to meet each other along Central Pattaya Road; sometimes, Beach Road is described with a similar division, and the respective halves given "North Beach Road" and "South Beach Road" monikers.

Flanking the Pattaya Beach sub-districts are:

Naklua - immediately north of North Pattaya, and with quick, frequent, and inexpensive transport to and from the rest of Pattaya; Naklua is popular with visitors whose native language is German. In terms of tourism-related locations, it's the smallest and least significant sub-district, the main attractions being the beaches (which are quieter than Pattaya Beach) and the Sanctuary of Truth.

Buddha Hill - named after the Buddha Hill landmark and sandwiched between South Pattaya (to the north) and Jomtien (to the south); to the east, South Pattaya and Jomtien meet directly.

In practice, exactly where each sub-district ends and the next begins is a very grey area as none of the boundaries lie along major roads (and none of the many readily available tourist maps attempts to define boundaries at this level); nevertheless they do provide a handy rough guide to approximate latitude. Further inland, the sub-district names are used less, and locality/road names take precedence - for example, an address might state "Sukhumvit, Naklua" which is useful in that it makes it clear the location is to the north of the Sukhumvit / North Pattaya Road intersection, however the exact same place would not normally be described simply as being "in Naklua" as that would give the misleading impression of it being in the main beachside/tourism area further west.

History

Pattaya's name was originally "Thap Phraya", meaning Army of the Phraya - commemorating the surrender of Nai Klom's army to that of Phraya Tak (later King Taksin the Great), without a fight. Thap Phraya became Phatthaya (the name of the north-easterly wind at the beginning of the rainy season), and then Phatthaya (the true phonetic spelling).

The Vietnam War and its warriors made Pattaya a well-known recreational centre, especially among American GI’s. From its beginning in 1959 with a small private bungalow where American officers on leave took turna to for "R and R" (rest and recreation), this sleepy village by the sea has grown and changed dramatically into one of the world’s tourism hot spots. The opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport (located to the east of Bangkok, alongside the expressway to Pattaya) has made visiting easier than ever.

Pattaya is popular not only as a beach resort and for its entertainment, nightlife and shopping, but also for the broad selection of pastimes it caters for, from golf and horseback riding to bungee jumping, karting and shooting—not to mention a wide variety of watersports such as scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and a whole lot more. Pattaya is also very popular as a conference, convention, and seminar venue, and the grapevine hosts rumours of future developments of varying degrees of plausibility, such as a horse racing track, casinos, and a tram system.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) [1] Information Office is just outside the centre, exactly 1 km south of the junction of Second Road and South Pattaya Road. Proceed along Pratamnak Road, continue straight up the hill, and where the road bears sharp right part way up, turn sharp left into the small side-soi. Worth a visit if you're in Pattaya for an extended period and want to browse for fresh ideas for new things to do/see. Open daily 8:30-16:30, tel. +66 38 428 750 / 8990 / 7667 or use the TAT freephone number: dial 1672 or e-mail: tatchon@tat.or.th

Get in

By car

Pattaya is located 147 km from Bangkok and can be reached in a comfortable 2-hour drive. There are two convenient ways to get there.

Via the Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya Motorway (Highway 7) The motorway is linked with Bangkok’s Outer Ring Road., (Highway 9) and there is also another entrance at Si Nakharin and Rama IX Junction.

Most visitors arrive by road from or via Bangkok, many having flown in to Suvarnabhumi (the "new" BKK). Much smaller numbers arrive direct by road from the north and east, by rail from Bangkok, and by air via U-Tapao from Ko Samui or Phuket in Southern Thailand or Siem Reap in Cambodia.

By plane

U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport [2] (IATA: UTP | ICAO: VTBU | tel: +66 38 245 295), often known somewhat inaccurately as "Pattaya Airport", is at Sattahip, just off the main Sattahip-Chanthaburi (Sukhumvit) highway, 30 km south of Pattaya. Primarily a military facility, it's the closest airport fielding commercial passenger flights, but only to Phuket and Samui domestically. There are no commercial passenger flights connecting U-Tapao directly with Bangkok.

When booking flights to U-Tapao...
...consider pre-booking onward transport at the same time, as competitively priced door-to-door transfer services may not be available on arrival at U-Tapao on an ad hoc basis.

The easiest way to transfer between U-Tapao and Pattaya is by direct door-to-door minibus. Driving time is normally about 30 minutes (200-250 baht per person for pre-booked services). Metered taxi costs 750 baht including motorway tolls, if purchased at hotel.

If speed and convenience don't matter, the ad hoc option is to hop on virtually any bus on Sukhumvit Road. Going south, if it's a bus that terminates at Sattahip you'll have to swap buses or finish the journey by songthaew; if it's going further east (e.g., Rayong, Chanthaburi, or Trat) it'll drop you off at the airport entrance as it goes by. Going north, wait for a bus that's going further than Sattahip and then you won't need to transfer. Alternatively, the white songthaews that ply Sukhumvit Road between Pattaya and Sattahip charge just 20 baht.

Or to buck the trend big time, go by rail (3rd class, weekdays only) between Pattaya and Sattahip, get off just before or after the line crosses Highway 3, and connect with the airport by songthaew or bus. The fare for the 40-50 minute train ride is 6 (yes, six!) baht - depart Pattaya 10:18, arrive Sattahip 11:00; depart Sattahip 13:30, arrive Pattaya 14:21. But don't forget, no trains on Saturdays or Sundays.

Suvarnabhumi

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is only 110 km from Pattaya (40 km closer than Don Muang Airport). Transfers by road are inexpensive and quick (currently around 80-90 minutes in dry weather, 120 minutes in wet weather) and getting quicker as the upgrades to the connecting highway are completed.

Taxis are a fairly inexpensive way to travel, especially at night. Fares from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya should be negotiated with the driver in advance. The "standard rate" is 1,500 baht and you should confirm it before leaving the taxi rank. At quiet hours you may be able to negotiate downward. Passengers will be expected to pay the two tolls en route, at 30 baht each.

Be aware that non-licensed taxis may try to solicit business from you, and it is important to note that these drivers do not have proper credentials.

One option though to save some money is to take a metered, licensed taxi from the departure level (avoiding the 50 baht airport fee). Given that they are only allowed to drop off passengers and then are supposed to leave right after, you are in a pretty good bargaining position when it comes to talking about prices. Go for a taxi where the driver isn't outside the car, but waiting inside (meaning they didn't bribe the security guards to be allowed to wait longer and need to depart soon).

Time to Pattaya is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes during non-peak hours, and can take double this during rush hour.

It is also possible to arrange airport pickup through most hotels, and through any number of local taxi agents. Fares through less expensive local hotels are generally the same 1,500 baht as the "standard" metered taxi rate, with larger resorts and international chain hotels often charging much higher rates. Local prearranged cars will run between 1,000-1,500 baht.

Return fares from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport fares are 800 baht plus tolls for a returning metered taxi if arranged in advance. Taxis may or may not be available at the last minute. A private car service arranged through a (local) hotel or travel agent kiosk will be around 1,200-1,500 baht.

Don Muang

Don Muang Airport (DMK) currently handles AirAsia, Nok Air, One-Two-GO, PB Air, and most Thai Airways domestic flights. The easiest way to transfer is by taxi; the most economical alternatives are to go by bus via Mo Chit (Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal), or to go by train via Hualamphong (only practicable in the Pattaya to Don Muang direction). As of October 2012, Air Asia, both international and domestic, will be based at Terminal 1.

By bus

First class bus

1st class buses from Bangkok to the North Pattaya Rd bus station are air-conditioned, almost always have an on-board toilet, are essentially direct (i.e., no stops), and provide a no fuss, no frills, hassle-free service. Departures from the Eastern (Ekamai) Terminal and Northern (Mo Chit) Terminal are frequent (every 20-40 minutes, depending on the time of day; more frequent still at public holiday weekends) and usually take 2-2.5 hours; those from the Southern (Sai Tai Taling Chan สายใต้ตลิ่งชัน) Bus Terminal are less frequent and take a little longer.

Fares may vary slightly depending on the route taken. For example, at busy times when the Moh Chit service uses the elevated express tollway, a marginally higher fare applies. Exact prices are always clearly posted at the official ticket counters.

All 1st class direct services to/from Bangkok use the recently redeveloped bus station on North Pattaya Rd. These buses are usually full when they depart, and must be boarded at the terminus. Tickets are sold at the bus station; it's not possible to pre-book these services more than an hour or so in advance. Usually, if the bus that's due to leave next is already full, there will be seats available on the next one. The longest queues are for the very early morning departures from Pattaya. To get a seat on the first bus of the day you need to be in the ticket queue at least 30-40 minutes early. The bonus is that these pre-rush hour services can take as little as 90 minutes to get to Bangkok.

From the North Pattaya Rd bus station songthaews (a cross between a pickup truck, a share-taxi, a local bus and two pews) depart when full (every few minutes). The fare to anywhere on Beach Rd ("the beach") is 25 baht; press the buzzer button on the underside of the roof when you want to get off.

Be wary of touts who solicit you at various bus stations in Bangkok. Most of them provide private minivan transport and won't drop you off at the main Pattaya station on North Pattaya Road. You will likely find yourself miles outside Pattaya. They also don't begin their journeys until the minivan is full. Unless you want to charter your own van, you should stick to the government buses or those offered by Roong Reuang Coach. These mainstream providers operate out of clearly marked counters and offices and do not send touts to solicit business.

Pattaya to the Eastern (Ekamai) Terminal: if requested, this bus will stop at the On Nut Skytrain Station (station map[4]) on Sukhumvit Rd. Depending on your final destination and the traffic conditions, you may want to transfer to the Skytrain (system map[5]) there; if so, wait until the bus departs Pattaya and then confirm with the crew that you want to be dropped off at "On Nut". NB: this bus does not stop to pick up passengers at On Nut (or anywhere else) on the outbound leg. Also on request the bus will stop along the Bangna-Trat Expressway opposite the Central Department Store Bangna.

Pattaya from/to the Southern (Sai Tai Mai) Terminal: if the direct bus is fully booked, take the Eastern (Ekamai) Terminal bus instead, and use the #511 (air-con, every 30 minutes 24/7, 20 baht) bus to connect between Ekamai and Sai Tai Mai.

Pattaya from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport: Bell travel Tel. +66 38-370-0556, +66 2-747-4673 to airport: 06:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00 and to Pattaya: 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00. Their bus travels directly from the terminal building to the northern bus station. This service includes delivery/pick up to/from your hotel for 230 baht, although they will not go to hotels located at Sukhumvit Rd or at Chayapreuk Rd or further. Bell Travel's website [6]

Departing from the Jomtien bus station [8] (Tel. +66 86-324-2389) at Thapphraya Rd/corner of Theprasit Rd to the airport at 07:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, and 21:00. It is possible to board the bus 20 minutes prior to its departing time at the bus station at Chaiyapreuk Rd. No other stops are made.

Second class bus

2nd class services (air-con, usually no on-board toilet) don't use the expressways, and make frequent (and sometimes lengthy) stops, hence they take considerably longer than their 1st class counterparts (which at worst will only halt momentarily once or twice to let passengers jump off on the final approaches to their destination). As at June 2006 the 2nd class fare is 100 baht, so the difference in price doesn't amount to much.

Many 2nd class buses from Bangkok continue on to Jomtien, so may be worth considering if that's your final destination and you're not in a hurry. For travel from Jomtien to Bangkok they have the advantage that they can be flagged down and boarded as they crawl along Jomtien's seafront road, Jomtien Beach Rd (Thanon Hat Jomtien), avoiding the need for a preliminary trip to the bus station.

The terminus for 2nd class services to/from Bangkok and other short-haul destinations is on South Pattaya Rd, but in practice these buses pick up and drop off the majority of their passengers en route. Tickets are sold both at the bus station (although advance booking may not be possible) and on the bus itself.

The airport bus service, not very well advertised, from Suvarnabhumi Airport, is brand new, as are the buses. Direct from the airport, and terminating at Jomtien Beach Rd & Soi Chiaproek, it costs 112 baht. Currently 5 return trips either way per day. You won't get too much info on this service, as it is not a private company, it is run by government employees, and you will be directed to the taxis and mini-buses, by the touts at the airport. Upon arrival at Jomtien, (1 hour or so) there are many guest houses,and hotels, prices vary from 550 baht,(Maggie Mays) to 3,500 baht (Nusa Playa). From cheap and cheerful to luxurious.

Minibus / Passenger Van

Bangkok

Minibuses run between Pattaya and Bangkok's hotels and Khao San Rd, offering the convenience of a door-to-door service for around 400 baht/person. Departure times vary, but 09:00/12:00/17:30 are the most widely advertised. Driving time is about 2 hours, however it can take quite a bit longer overall (especially if you're the first to be collected and the last to be dropped off). One such service runs direct between Pattaya Dynasty Inn (Soi 13) and Bangkok Dynasty Inn (Soi Nana), and can be arranged through the Dynasty Inn reception desks.

Century Movie Plaza next to Victory Monument. BTS Station vans to Pattaya, 140 baht each way. Also service to Hua Hin, Cha Am and Petchburi. T-Tour Tel. +66 80-090-6540.

Next to the Victory Monument there is a booth for transport to Pattaya. It's next to the booth to Ayutthaya. A one-way ticket costs 120 baht and it takes about 2 hours to reach Pattaya. It goes via tollway.

It's also possible to travel by minibus to Hat Lek (for the southern-most border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia), but not every day of the week. This service may or may not go via Laem Ngop depending on overall demand. As of January 2006: depart 07:30, arrive around 14:00, 700 baht, Tuesday and Friday only, but subject to change, so inquire locally for the latest schedule details.

Travel agencies (ubiquitous throughout Pattaya) plus many hotels/guesthouses sell minibus tickets, and tourist-oriented services such as these invariably include collection from your hotel/guesthouse/wherever (allow extra time for this. Times quoted above are approximate transit times and make no allowance for the vagaries of the collection process).

By taxi

Public taxis serving the airport must have a meter, be air-conditioned, and be less than five years old. The driver should have an Airports of Thailand certificate.

To Bangkok - widely advertised in Pattaya at 800 baht (the lower price is because it'll be a Bangkok cab returning home), and easily arranged through most travel agencies and hotels/guesthouses. The driver pays 300 baht commission to the agency, if you can hail one yourself you might be able to negotiate lower. Minibuses can also be chartered taxi-style from around 1800 baht.

From Bangkok - prices range from 1500 baht (the official meter-taxi rate) to 1000 baht; arranged car services will tend toward the higher end, but licenced meter-taxis should be negotiable to the lower end of the range. Allow about 90-120 minutes, depending on where in Bangkok you're coming from; more around rush hour.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport - the official meter-taxi price to Pattaya is 1050 baht (1100 baht to Jomtien) plus the 60 baht highway ("motorway" or "expressway") toll (this isn't necessary outside peak times, when travelling down below is just as fast). Allow around 80-90 minutes in favourable conditions.

Scams to watch out for when headed for Bangkok by taxi include being told that the pre-paid price is fully inclusive, but then, on arrival at the first toll booth, being told that the expressway fees are extra.

Many of the more upmarket hotels can arrange (for an additional fee) to have you met at the airport gate by a personal driver with a limousine, thus avoiding the need to negotiate with taxi drivers, or you can book a limousine in advance online [9]

By train

Provided it's a weekday, the most economical way to travel between Pattaya and Bangkok by public transport is by rail. The one-way fare is just 31 baht, and if you've never experienced a 3rd class Thai train, this can be an interesting experience.

From Monday to Friday, a single daily 3rd class (no aircon) train departs Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station at 06:50 and arrives at the main Pattaya station at 10:18, before continuing on to Sattahip; it then returns via Pattaya at 14:21 and terminates back in Bangkok at 17:40 (on Saturdays and Sundays it turns back to Bangkok at Chachoengsao, so is of no practical use for getting to or from Pattaya on weekends). Regardless of direction, simply turn up and buy a ticket at the station. This train can't be pre-booked.

Pattaya has two train stations, both just east of Sukhumvit Road:

Pattaya Train Station (tel. +66-38429285) is the main stop, just north of the junction with Central Pattaya Rd (from Sukhumvit Rd, turn into Soi Pornprapanimit and then turn left immediately before the road crosses the railway line). A Baht Bus waits here for the train to arrive and charges a reasonable 30 baht/person to anywhere in the Pattaya Beach area; in the opposite direction, budget around 40-50 baht for a motorbike taxi from Beach Rd. Facilities comprise a small snacks / chilled drinks counter, toilets, a solitary payphone, and the ticket office, which also sells maps of Pattaya.

Pattaya Tai Train Station is a small unmanned halt about 3 km further south, and hence closer to Jomtien, near the Sukhumvit / Thepprasit Rd intersection.

At the main Pattaya Train Station, tickets must be bought before boarding and are only sold in the final 30 minutes prior to departure. The fare from/to Bangkok is 31 baht, from/to Sattahip, 6 baht. One train to Bangkok a day, but not on weekends.

As the Pattaya Tai station has no ticket office, passengers are permitted to board here without tickets and then pay on the train (32 baht to Bangkok).

The surcharge for transporting a bicycle (up to 20 kg) between any two points on this line (e.g., Bangkok-Sattahip) is 80 baht.

Tickets for other journeys can be purchased (up to a maximum of 60 days in advance) at the Pattaya Train Station ticket office between 08:00 and 16:00. The same tickets can also be arranged through Pattaya agencies, who will add on a 200-300 baht mark-up to cover their assistance and the cost of sending a motorbike taxi to collect the tickets from the station.

Although travelling by train is most economical, is quite slow. However, it makes sense if you continue by train from Bangkok as you avoid switching from the metro and/or taxi, arriving directly at the train station. It takes as much as 3.5 hours, but the bus takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours and you have to add one hour to get to the station.

Get around

The city-produced "Official Map of Pattaya" is available at Pattaya City Hall, and may also be available from the Pattaya Police, the Tourist Police and the Immigration Police.

By songthaew

Songthaews are also known as public passenger pick-up vehicles.

Apart from a handful of privately operated examples, Pattaya has no tuk-tuks and most ad hoc local transport is undertaken by a flotilla of over 700 dark blue coloured songthaews, pickup trucks converted to buses, also called Baht Buses. The fare is 10 baht for trips within (and between) Pattaya and Jomtien, for locals and foreigners. Having the correct change is by no means essential, but does keep the potential hassle factor to a minimum. In the past, dual pricing applied (technically 5 baht base fare, but generally only applied to locals, with a 10 baht fare for foreigners) and some drivers will shortchange you on a 20 baht note if you don't act like you know what you're doing, but most will return 10 baht. Avoid asking destination when using songthaew, as many drivers will charge 100-200 baht. If you know the direction, it's recommended to just ride the songthaew without asking for a destination. That way you will just pay 10 baht per person no matter how far you go.

Flat fares only apply when operating as a bus. Beware the driver of an otherwise empty songthaew, especially one that's parked at the roadside, who might presume that you want to charter a taxi, in which case expect a much higher fare of 100 baht or more, depending on your negotiating skills. Taxis in Pattaya do not use the metres at all, and unless you can speak Thai, start at 150 baht and up.

The busiest route is the beach circuit: from the junction of Second Rd and South Pattaya Rd, north along Second Rd to the Dolphin Circle roundabout; then south along the full length of Beach Rd; then briefly east along South Pattaya Rd to complete the loop. Frequency is virtually non-stop, and even at the most unlikely hours, average waiting time is literally no more than a minute, often only a few seconds during daytime hours.

The routes sometimes vary. For example, with a left turn (from Beach Rd or Second Rd) into Central Pattaya Rd; or no left turn at the Dolphin Circle roundabout (where Second Rd, Beach Rd and North Pattaya Rd meet) and going straight on to Naklua (or even a right turn towards the bus station and Sukhumvit). The only way to know the route for sure is to ask (but don't let the driver mistake your asking as a charter request). Sometimes the driver will just decide to turn down a random soi for no apparent reason, or because he's just been hired as a taxi, but you'll still be expected to pay your 10 baht if you've ridden for more than a soi or two - however surprises such as these are few and far between.

It's also easy to catch songthaews along South Pattaya Rd, Central Pattaya Rd, and North Pattaya Rd; in the case of the latter, there's often a songthaew waiting at the Dolphin Circle roundabout (they depart from here at regular intervals, or when full, and the fare to the bus station is 10 baht) and there's also a free songthaew service to the Tesco-Lotus supermarket on North Pattaya Rd.

For Jomtien, songthaews wait at the beginning of Pratamnak Rd (the continuation of Second Rd, from the South Pattaya Rd crossroads), and charge 10 baht.

For Naklua, take a songthaew up Second Rd to the Dolphin Roundabout (10 baht). If the songthaew turns left or right at the roundabout (i.e., it's not one of the few that continue straight on to Naklua), disembark immediately and cross to the north side of the roundabout, and either walk or take a north-bound songthaew (10 baht) from there.

White coloured songthaews ply Sukhumvit Rd, going as far as Si Racha and Sattahip (20 baht); full-size buses to destinations as far away as Trat and even Chiang Mai also stop and pick up passengers on Sukhumvit Rd (at the South Pattaya Rd, Central Pattaya Rd, and North Pattaya Rd junctions).

If you're overcharged by a songthaew driver, note the three digit vehicle number (top left corner of the windscreen, also stenciled on both sides and in the back) and report the problem to:

By motorbike taxi

The quickest way to get around is by motorcycle (motosai). A moto-taxi will be less expensive than a songthaew charter, but arguably less safe. Roadside moto-taxi stands are scattered throughout town, and waiting drivers usually clap their hands or sometimes call out to attract the attention of potential passengers; alternatively just flag down the next available one that cruises by, as the drivers are easily identified by their coloured vests. Some will carry two (or more!) passengers - although this is illegal. Foreigners can expect to pay around 30-40 baht for trips around the inner parts of town.

By taxi

Although meter-taxis are a common sight in and around Pattaya, very few will accept a metered fare. All are from Bangkok. Their drivers bring passengers from the capital and then operate locally until a return fare becomes available. You should haggle before the journey with whatever fare they've quoted. The minimum fare for a foreigner is usually 150 baht - even 1 km hops.

Please note that English proficiency amongst taxi drivers is not the highest. You may want a printout in Thai of your destination. Some drivers will have a binder listing common destinations in various languages to avoid misunderstanding.

There are also some car services and non-metered taxis that operate on an on-call basis; minibuses can also be chartered. These services are suited primarily to longer trips outside the core of the town or to another city, and can be arranged through most travel agencies and many hotels/guesthouses. Expect to pay considerably more than the cost of a songthaew charter, probably in the order of a few hundred baht.

If you are going back to Bangkok, there is the cheap possibility of catching a taxi which has just came from there (with some passengers) and has to return. Since the driver isn’t going to get a passenger as soon as he leaves Pattaya, he might be willing to take back a passenger for cheap which should cost you no more than 800-1200 baht.

By car

If considering renting a vehicle, bear in mind that traffic in Pattaya can seem very erratic by Western standards, and that driving on the left can be confusing not only for those who have previously only ever driven on the right, but also for those unfamiliar with the common Thai practice (even the police do this) of motorcycling alongside the kerb on the "oncoming" side of the road, or the wrong way up one-way streets. The latter problem is especially prevalent in the Pattaya Bay area, where the majority of the roads in the main tourism zones are one-way; and the northern section of Second Road requires great care as some treat the right-hand "bus" lane as oncoming, while others do not.

Motorcycles and scooters

Motorcycle rentals are a very popular way to get around, but not the safest, especially in the case of visitors with limited previous experience of motorcycling and Eastern traffic habits, and even more so in Pattaya given the large number of motorcycle-mounted holidaymakers who seem hell-bent on a Darwin Award. Also note that a motorcyclist carrying a shoulder bag, and anything placed in the front basket of a motorcycle, makes an especially easy target for bag-snatchers. Also beware the "No Parking" signs; fines are typically 400-500 baht.

Motorbikes can be rented without difficulty at countless locations in Pattaya, including many hotels and guesthouses, usually without having to produce a licence; however it's common for foreigners to be asked to deposit their passports as security (to avoid this, simply shop around until you find one of the many places that will accept a photocopy instead); cash deposits are also often required (1000 baht is not uncommon). Motorcycle rentals do not include insurance, and both motorcycling accidents and motorbike thefts are common. Some outlets have a third-party cover which covers you for medical attention. If motorbikes don't carry this insurance they are illegal and should not be entertained. One renter who has this cover is Nittayas who operates from Soi 12 Naklua.

Cars and jeeps

Cars can easily be rented, and are a good way to explore beyond the city limits, but they are not such a practicable way to get around the busiest central areas as traffic can be congested, and parking spaces can be difficult to find in the evening and on weekends. However, the major supermarkets offer free parking, and low-cost parking is available at the major shopping venues such as Royal Garden Plaza, Central Festival, & Big C on Second Road.

Rentals without insurance start from around 800 baht/day for small cars, and from as little as 600 baht/day for open-top jeeps; cars with insurance start at just under 1,000 baht/day, and come down to around 5,600 baht/week or 18,000 baht/month in low season. High season prices (from early November) are generally a few hundred baht more.

Getting the correct type of insurance cover on any rental car in Thailand is extremely important. Commerical "Car Rental Company" first-class insurance provides the absolute full legal cover (as opposed to limited personal or third party-only insurance cover. Request a copy of the policy document and check that it states "For Commercial Use".

Quads

Imac ATV Centre, (at the Beach Road end of Tipp Plaza, near Mike Shopping Mall), ☎+66 98 884-340, [11]. Has a small fleet of assorted models. Prices start at 1,500 baht/day for a 4-stroke 150cc quad with road tyres that can carry two people; rates for larger models (some with off-road tyres) go as high as 3,000 baht/day.

See

Beaches

The three kilometres long Pattaya Beach runs along the city centre. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. The street south of Beach Road, Walking Street, comes alive with rock music as the night sets in. People throng the street to experience the night life, which is unique in all respects. There are hundreds of beer bars, go-go bars, discotheques around the area. Muay Thai, the Thai Boxing, an open arena in some of the beer bars are exciting to the hilt.

Another beach in Pattaya, Jomtien Beach, more popular among family vacationers, is on the southern part of the city, and separated from the main Pattaya Bay by Buddha hill. Jomtien is more calm and serene compared to the crowded Pattaya Beach and a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Jomtien is also popular for its amusement park and tower, to keep children entertained. The one km long, Wong Phrachan Beach, situated on the Northern part of the Pattaya Beach is a favourite among swimmers.

There are acres of sand jam-packed with recliners and umbrellas (usually with an "in-house" supply of drinks), serviced by an army of laid-back but tenacious hawkers offering anything and everything from food (especially seafood, fruit, ice cream) to massage, manicure/pedicure, tattoos, lottery tickets, newspapers, herbs, flowers, gems, perfumes, sunglasses, CDs, watches, lighters, clothes, toys, souvenirs, handicrafts (it's a bit like TV shopping - as soon as you've declined one offer, it's time to consider another) and so on. Eventually you buy a very dark pair of sunglasses, and after that you just pretend to be asleep.

Pattaya Beach is almost 3 km long and bordered by Beach Road. Due to its central location and proximity to several hundred hotels, and because it's a relatively narrow strip of sand, it's crowded at the best of times (and even more so at high tide). Hefty fines for littering help keep the sand neat and tidy, however the sea is not so clean around here.

The northern end of Pattaya Bay is occupied by Wong Amat Beach, which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.

Naklua Bay is immediately north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the two. Naklua Beach, to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach and then Palm Beach further south. Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.

Wong Phra Chan Beach (หาดวงพระจันทร์). This small tranquil one kilometre beach is on the northern side of Pattaya Bay. The serene atmosphere here is attractive to those longing for a complete rest and privacy.

Sacred places

Ban Sukhawadee (บ้านสุขาวดี), 219 Moo 2, Sukhumvit Rd, ☎+66 38 223-536(-9), [12]. M-F 08:30–18:00, Sa-Su, hols 08:00-18:00. This is the residence of Dr. Panya Chotithewan. Visitors can enter the house to pay respect to the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin, to see the spacious conference room and the roof.300 baht/adults, 50 baht/children.

Buddha Hill (เขาพระตำหนักหรือเขาพระบาท Khao Phra Tam Nak), (between Thap Praya Road and Phratamnak Road; 5-10 mins by songthaew). Buddha Hill is one of the highest points in Pattaya. At the summit is the biggest Buddha statue in Pattaya, and nearby is a beautiful Chinese-style sacred area dedicated to Confucius and Lao-zi. The next hill, just across the Phra Tam Nak Road, has the best Pattaya Bay coastline viewpoint and is also worth a visit, especially for sunset. The locals come here to pay homage to Wat Khao Phra Bat atop the hill and the monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, who is regarded as the founding father of the modern Thai navy.

Chaloemphrakiat Park (สวนเฉลิมพระเกียรติ). A park at the foot of Khao Pattaya. With an area of 6 acres, the park was dedicated to commemorate His Majesty the King's sixtieth birthday on December 5, 1988. The gardens of the park boast a wide variety of flowering plants and offer a scenic view of Pattaya. There are also multipurpose grounds and winding trails for walking or jogging and standard exercise facilities. It is not at all obvious how to access the gardens of the park from the summit, and those from overseas should ask a local for guidance.

Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม), 206/2 Moo 5, Soi 12, Naklua Rd, ☎+66 38 367-229(-30), [13]. 09:00-18:00 daily. This huge ancient-style wooden temple is situated by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North Pattaya. The entrance is at Soi 12, Na Kluea Road. The Sanctuary of Truth was first begun in 1981 by Mr. Lek Wiriyaphan, the founder of the Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province. With exquisite an unique architectural features, the building was conceived out of the vision that human civilisation has been achieved and nurtured by religious and philosophical truth. It is an unfinished project, but worth a visit even now.500 baht.

Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร), (turn left from Sukhumvit Road, at Km. 160 for 5km). It was constructed in 1976 for Somdet Phra Yanasangwon, the present Supreme Patriarch, and later was supported by His Majesty the King. At the entrance are situated international pavilions presenting each country’s national architectural style around the pond. Within the compound of the temple are the Mondop where a replica of the Buddha’s footprint is enshrined, a large Chedi containing the relics of the Lord Buddha, as well as, his enlightened followers, and Wihan Phra Yanaret. It is open from 8.00AM-4.00PM For more information, Tel. 0 3823 7506. Moreover, there is a place where the Royal Project for Agricultural Training Centre and Wildlife Preservation Area are located.

Museums and galleries

Anek Kuson Sala (Wihan Sian) (เอนกกุศลศาลา (วิหารเซียน)), (entrance is a bit prior to Wat Yanasangwararam, 800 metres from the intersection at the reservoir), ☎+66 38 238-367. 08:30-17:00 daily. Anek Kuson Sala is an art gallery with high-class Chinese architecture and fine arts constructed in 1987 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Birthday. Inside is an exhibition displaying precious antiques such as the large white jade Bodhisattva Kwan Yin's image, terra-cotta soldiers and horses from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, an emperor’s golden throne, ancient paintings and pottery.50 baht.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Second Rd or Beach Rd (on the third floor of Royal Garden Plaza), ☎+66 38 710-294(-8), [14]. 11:00-23:00 daily. At the same location there's also a "Haunted Experience" show, a 4D movie theatre and "Infinity Maze" game. Various combination tickets available to enter all four.Foreigners 380 baht/adult and 280 baht/child, Thais 280 baht/adult, 230 baht/child.

Theme parks

Mini Siam (เมืองจำลองพัทยา), (on Sukhumvit Road, surrounded by Soi 33), ☎+66 38 421-628, [15]. 07:00-22:00 daily. Mini Siam features miniature replicas of iconic structures from Thailand and all over the world. It is one of the most famous model villages in the world. It celebrates the heritages of Thailand with miniature replicas of the most famous monuments and historical sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, Bridge over the River Kwai, Prasat Hin Phimai etc. Minature replicas of the Tower Bridge of London, Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Trevi Fountain are also displayed in the section called "miniworld".250 baht/adults, 120 baht/children.

Siriphon Orchid Farm (สวนกล้วยไม้ศิริพร), 235/14 Moo 5, Noen Phlap Wan Rd (turn left for 800 metres from Sukhumvit Road, diagonally across the Pattaya Klang intersection), ☎+66 38 429-013. Inside the farm are various kinds of orchids to be admired and purchased such as Pompadua, Vanda, Golden Shower, and Cattleya.

Three Kingdoms Theme Park (อุทยานสามก๊ก), 100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong (adjacent to Horseshoe Point, 20 minutes from Pattaya), ☎+66 38 421-428(-9), [17]. 10:00-17:00 daily. This is a Chinese-style garden filled with pagodas, murals and figures from the Chinese epic San Guo Zhi, and more an expression of filial piety than a theme park. Perhaps worth a quick look on a slow day, but unlikely to offer much to visitors not familiar with the story.150 baht/adults, 80 baht/children.

Animals and zoos

The Million-Year Stone Park and Crocodile Farm (อุทยานหินล้านปีและฟาร์มจระเข้พัทยา), Chaiyaphonwithi Road (15 minute drive from central Pattaya), ☎+66 38 249-347(-9), [18]. 08:30-18:30 daily. Features an exotic zoo, and crocodile, fire-swallowing and magic shows, as well as the garden and stone park. This popular attraction is Its grounds are landscaped with flowering and rock gardens. Hundreds of crocodiles as well as some rare animals, including albino bears and horses, are kept. There are crocodile shows, magic performances and animal shows 7 times a day from 09:00-17:00.300 baht/adults, 150 baht/children.

Pattaya Elephant Village (หมู่บ้านช้างพัทยา), 54/1 Moo 2, Tambon Nong Prue, ☎+66 38 249-145(-7), [19]. This elephant camp focuses on daily life of elephants and their masters and also offers stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants, elephants-at-work in the jungle, elephants playing football and a grand war elephants parade. The shows are held daily at 14:30 and last one hour. A one-hour elephant ride is available from 08:00-17:30 for 900 baht/person and rafting trekking three-hour is available from 10:00-15:30PM at 1,800 baht/person.500 baht.

Underwater World (อันเดอร์วอเตอร์เวิลด์), 22/22 Moo 11, Sukhumvit Rd, ☎+66 38 756-879, [20]. 09:00–18:00 daily, feeding times 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00. This is a relatively small aquarium where there is a collection of marine species in the Gulf of Thailand. Visitors can walk through the acrylic pedestrian tunnel and witness various kinds of fish swimming in the 180 degree area. The tunnel is 105 metres long divided into 4 zones; the first zone where there are beautiful and rare fish such as angel fish, cleaning wrasse and butterflyfish, the second zone displays soft-bone ones such as sharks, stingrays, while those in the third zone are the economic ones such as the Napoleonfish, groupers, pomfrets, hawksbill turtles, and green turtles which reside around a replica of shipwreck; the fourth zone is a special one where fish from the Amazon River are on display. Moreover, there are marine life feeding shows, both on the surface of the water and underwater in each zone. It is possible to dive in the tank with the fish for a cost of 2500baht for 30 minutes.500 baht/adult, 300 baht/child.

Do

Pattaya's main beaches are popular and busy places for activities. Some of these include banana-boat rides, jet-skiing, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and the like; anyone who just wants to enjoy a simple swim or a good splash around with a frisbee or rented inner tube will always find themselves with plenty of company as well.

Pattaya Kart Speedway (พัทยาคาร์ทสปีดเวย์), 248/2 Mu 12, Thep Prasit Rd (5 km from the centre of Pattaya to the south), ☎+66 38 422-044. 09:00-18:00 daily. It is a kart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs, and there is a separate "off-road" track.250+ baht/10 mins.

Video games. Video games are a popular pastime in Thailand, hence PlayStation and computer game shops are everywhere in Pattaya. The usual rate is 20 baht/hr, making for pretty cheap entertainment, but expect things to get very crowded and loud in the hours after school lets out. There's a big shop on Soi Chaiyaphum (right off Soi Buakhao across from Soi Diana Inn) that's open 24/7 and has more comfortable chairs.20 baht/hr.

Cabaret

Alcazar show in Pattaya

Pattaya is well known for its katoey cabaret (aka ladyboy or transvestite) shows. Two of the best known (expect busloads of Asian tourists) are:

Alcazar Cabaret (อัลคาซ่าร์คาบาร์เร่ต์), Pattaya 2 Rd (across from Soi 5), ☎+66 38 410-225(-7). Showtime 18:30, 20:00, 21:30. A VIP seat closer to the front costs 200 baht extra. Directly after the show the performers come outside for a few minutes photo session. 40 baht per photo with each performer of your choice or 200 baht for an instant Polaroid photo taken by their own photographer.600-800 baht.

Tiffany's Show (ทิฟฟานี่โชว์), Pattaya 2 Rd, ☎+66 38 421-700(-5), [21]. Showtime 18:00, 19:30, 21:00. Tiffany's is a family-friendly ladyboy cabaret show. The 19:30 show is generally deemed to be the best of the night. After the show there the ladyboys would gather outside available for photos sessions with interested audience. However, be aware that taking photos with the ladyboy means you are obligated to give the ladyboy tips as much as 40 baht to 100 baht depending on the rank of the ladyboy (front row ladyboys are more costly to take photos with than the back rows). Some ladyboys offers free photos session though. In May Tiffany's Show hosts the annual Miss Tiffany's Universe Pageant [22] beauty queen competition, for contestants born as men. If you've got testosterone left over, visit the shooting range in the basement! Contact Tiffany's directly for a complimentary pick-up from your hotel.500, 700, 800 baht.

NB: Some roadside local travel agents offers significantly cheaper ticket prices for the above shows, including for VIP Seats. They also provides ticket for other things like sex shows.

Performances

Open Eyes Show (เปิดหูเปิดตาโชว์), 2F, Pattaya Bazaar, 266/52-53 North Pattaya Rd (opposite the Tiffany Show), ☎+66 38 362-077(-79). 15:00-23:00 daily. "The Great Experience Behind The Magical", a lot of technological magic and illusion shows. It is a magic performance in various styles such as Aladdin, the Mermaid, Invisible Woman, the Wonderland, etc.600 baht/adults, 300 baht/children.

Tuxedo Magic Castle (ปราสาทเวทมนต์ทักซิโด), 78/16-17 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd, ☎+66 38 488-880, [23]. Showtime 19:00, 20:30, 22:00 daily. It is a magical theater in the form of a split-level restaurant. There are series of shows such as making an umbrella out of cards.450 baht.

Cinemas

Cinemas in Thailand tend to be severely air conditioned - bring a long sleeve shirt, or jacket, or both! Otherwise, the four large mall cinemas in Pattaya are mostly up to Western standards. Some (but by no means all) Thai-language films are subtitled in English (check the billing at the theatre) and some films will have both subtitled and non-subtitled showings. Visitors must stand up during the King's anthem.

Major Cineplex, The Avenue (second road across from Soi 13).

SF Cinema City, Central (Big-C), ☎+66 38 361-500. This cinema has six theatres with ticket prices around 90 baht, slightly more at weekends; this has increasingly been showing Thai-soundtrack-only films (including dubbed versions of foreign films and no-English-subtitle releases of Thai films).

Golf

The Golf Club, 33/133 Soi L.K. Metro (near Soi Diana and Soi Buakhao, about 100 yards from the Areca Lodge), ☎+66 85 4343377, [24]. A popular sports bar & restaurant that runs regular golf competitions on M, Tu, Th, and F. They have contracts with the local courses and offer highly discounted green fees either through the Pattaya Sports Club or they can book your private tour of up to 120 golfers. They are the only bar golf society with a TAT License. Transportation, club rentals, free Wi-Fi and golf lockers are available. Have 4 rooms available to golfers and non-golfers alike, from 600-900 baht depending on room and season.

The Mini Golf Pub, Thappraya Rd (on the left just past the flyover when headed to Jomtien). 10:00-23:00 daily. 18 holes, refreshments available; their cat sometimes acts as a self-propelled obstacle.100 baht/person.

Pattaya City Golf, (at the Nova Lodge Hotel on Beach Road, next to the junction with Pattaya Central Road). 09:00-01:00 daily. 18 holes, plus chipping, driving and putting areas for the more serious golfer; refreshments served at the waterfront bar; Caddy service available.140 baht/person.

Serenity Massage, (across from LK Pavilion, South Pattaya Rd and Third Rd), ☎+66 87 5386120. One of the few massage shops in this section of Pattaya. It offers a clean, comfortable and quiet atmosphere inside, combined with talk and laughter with the girls outside. Massage services include foot, Thai, oil, powder, salt body scrub, aromatherapy, four hands massage and more. Water, tea or coffee afterwards. The overall experience is fun, unrushed, and relaxing.

Muay Thai

Pattaya Muay Thai Academy (พัทยามวยไทยสถานศึกษาเมืองพัทยาประเทศไทย), Soi 7 North Rd (About a third of the way down Soi 7 from North Rd, on the left side.), [25]. A popular muay Thai camp that is open to everyone for fitness, self-defence and fighter training. The gym is fully matted, including a large open training area, a boxing ring, several punch and kick bags as well as fitness equipment. Accommodation is available in camp, the instructors are multilingual, free Wi-Fi for customers, and the option of fighting at muay Thai stadiums.

Watersports

Speedboat-towed parachute rides are available along the main beaches, and in Pattaya Bay from several large floating platforms with speedboats ferrying customers out from the shore — typically about 500 baht per flight.

Diving

As with most coastal towns in Thailand, Pattaya is a good place for diving. The diving is done mostly on the near islands, Ko Larn, Ko Sak, Ko Krok. Once in a while the dive centers go out to the far islands, Ko Rin and Koh Wichai.

The diving off Pattaya is also known for its numerous wrecks: the HTMS Kut, HTMS Kram, the Bremen, and the Harddeep

Flight of the Gibbon

For those who want adventure combined with the experience of seeing a rain forest canopy, this adventure tour is ideal. It involves ziplining over the forest canopy and getting a thrill that is in a league of its own. The tour operates twice daily: one starting around 07:00 and the other around noon. Total time including travel is about 5 hours of which about 2-3 hours will be spent in the forest. Can be booked through one of the many tour operator shops or on-line at [27] Cost can vary from 2,100-2,500 baht depending on where you book, your ability to negotiate and the supply-demand situation.

Day-trips to islands

Ko Khrok (or Krok). 2 km east of Ko Laan, is an isolated rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.

Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่ or Bamboo Island). Ko Phai, and other islands in the Ko Phai group, Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom), Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation, fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted. For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km / 2 hours), expect to pay 2,500-4,000 baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.

Festivals

New Year's Day. The International New Year Day has been adopted. On the first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple or at a particular site designated by government offices of private organizations.

Songkran. Mid-April. Songkhran is the Thai New Year, celebrated primarily by everyone throwing prodigious quantities of water at anything that moves. Pattaya officially celebrates Songkran on later dates (April 18-19) than most of the rest of the country (April 13-15) - but in reality the fun just starts early and keeps on going that much longer. During this period many hotels and guest houses have high occupancy levels, and public transport services (especially buses to/from Bangkok) are very busy, with more frequent than normal departures but also with appreciable delays due to the general mayhem on the roads. Songkran in Pattaya follows the same overall pattern as seen elsewhere in Thailand, but is especially vigorous in areas such as Soi 7 and Soi 8. Expect to get very wet indeed and you're unlikely to be disappointed - regardless of where you go or what else you actually plan to do. Although things calm down considerably after dusk, it's still worth keeping anything that could easily be damaged (especially cameras, mobile telephones, passports etc) in plastic bags.

Pattaya Festival. Mid-April. The Pattaya Festival has floral floats, a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest, a traditional aquatic sports competitions, castles, a fireworks display, fire crackers, arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale. Don't expect an "authentic" festival, this is basically a festival to promote Pattaya as a popular seaside destination for tourists.

Learn

Training in scuba diving and trips for a wide range of ability levels and interests, certified by a number of different organisations, including both NAUI and PADI, are available through numerous dive shops.

Buy

There are numerous malls, supermarkets, bazaar-style markets, and thousands of other shops. Sadly, you'll be seeing a lot of the same stuff over and over again — there's no endless variety in Pattaya. Also, Pattaya is not a good place to go shopping for hi-tech products, such as cameras and computers. Expect to see prices around 50% higher than the best prices advertised in the West. Also beware of buying fake branded and designer goods, since these could be confiscated by customs officers at the airport.

Foreign currency can easily be exchanged for Thai baht at the many exchange booths which can be found in all areas popular with tourists — there are even mobile exchanges/ATMs in specially adapted minivans that are set up as and when and where the need arises. Note that the majority of exchange booths will buy foreign currency but will not sell it. If you need to obtain US dollars, for example if you're going to Cambodia, use one of the larger branches of a major bank, such as the Bangkok Bank branch on Second Rd (almost opposite Soi 6).

ATMs are widely available around the city, however, the vast majority of them now charge a steep 150 baht fee for using foreign cards, on top of what your home bank normally charges. The only exception is Aeon Bank. Their ATMs are located on the ground floor of Carrefour near KFC, Central Pattaya Road (around 400 m up from the Second Rd crossing), near Homework Furniture Mall entrance (just behind Big C at the South Pattaya/Sukhumvit Rd intersection, accessible by 10 baht songthaews parked near the Second Rd intersection), and in Tesco Lotus in South Pattaya. Also at Tesco Lotus on North Pattaya Rd on the ground floor.

Malls

Central Festival. One of the largest malls in Asia. Opened in mid-January of 2009, this sprawling complex has really put Pattaya on the map for grand scale shopping and dining. It is the best shopping mall in the region and now attracts customers from all over, adding to the traffic chaos of Beach Rd. Fashion, electronics, health & beauty, kids activities and food are all here. With the obligatory cinema complex and bowling alley on the top floor, this mega-mall is styled on the big Bangkok destination shopping areas like Siam Paragon. The Food Loft has the best view of the bay and great variety at reasonable prices. The anchor store is Central Department Store itself, offering high-end designer labels from abroad and Thailand. A supermarket and budget food hall is in the basement. Enter from Soi 9, Pattaya Beach Rd, or on Second Rd after the new View Talay complex. Easy to find, just look for the traffic jams.

Central Festival Center. 11:00-23:00 daily. A large mall on Second Rd across from Soi 2. It includes the Big C department store, and an IT Corner with mobile phones and accessories but no computers.

Mike Shopping Mall, (on Beach Rd between Soi 11 and Soi 12). The ground floor has many small stalls selling clothing, tourist souvenirs and many other inexpensive items; above that there's a department store; on the 5th floor there's a food court; and up on the roof (10th floor) there's a public swimming pool.

P.S. Plaza, (at the junction of Second Rd and Central Pattaya Rd). Tops supermarket and cooked food outlet occupies most of the ground floor; billiards, books, massage, and a handful of other shops on the first floor; and P.S. Bowling on the second floor.

Tuk.Com (Com City), South Pattaya Rd. A new and predominantly IT mall. In the basement is a Tops supermarket, a food court, and various other (mostly clothes) shops as well as a spare parts department that sells a variety of electronic (e.g., transistors) and other parts (e.g. clothes washing machine lint filters), and the ground floor hosts an assortment of regular shops. However the upper floors are almost exclusively mobile phones (1st floor), computer software and MP3/video CDs (4th floor), and computers and handheld electronics (2nd/3rd/5th floors). Prices are significantly higher than in Bangkok though.

Markets

There are many bazaar-style markets in Pattaya where you can haggle 'till you drop, including:

Thepprasit Market, (on Thepprasit Rd near the junction with Sukhumvit Rd). F-Su 18:00-00:00. You can find the cheapest books in Pattaya at this night market.

Soi Buakhao Market, (on the corner of South Pattaya Rd and Soi Buakhao, across from the Friendship Supermarket). Daytime on Tuesday and Friday; plus an evening market further along the same road.

Made In Thailand Night Bazaar, on Second Rd near Soi 10. 08:00-23:00. Despite the wrongly spelled name, it is also open in mornings.

The Market Pattaya, (on Second Rd near Soi 5). This market is a little lonely, but some evenings it has students giving music or dance performances on a small stage.

Shops

Just some of the shops you will encounter in Pattaya:

Convenience stores are everywhere, especially 7-11 and Family Mart shops (all open 24 hours), plus countless independents. If you use the family-run shops the prices aren't always marked but should be the same, or just a baht or two higher.

Gold shops abound, with concentrations around the market on South Pattaya Rd and around Central Pattaya Rd near Second Rd, plus numerous jewellery shops towards the south end of Beach Rd. Small jewellery shops can also be found as part of supermarkets.

Art galleries are also considered to be rising business in Pattaya, most of the places will offer variety works and services including custom orders and art reproductions. These galleries in Pattaya have reputations in affordable prices and skilled artists.

Tailor shops are everywhere, offering men's clothes, but quality is variable. Ideally, make sure you get two fittings before buying.

Tea Village the best teas in Pattaya, more than 80 flavours of tea and coffee beans also. Price for herbal tea start from 39 baht per 100 g, on green tea Oolong from 70 baht, coffee 30 baht per 100 g. [29]. You can find their shop in Central Festival Centre, on the second floor.

Books

Bookazine. There are many branches of Bookazine, including those at Central Festival Centre; Royal Garden Plaza; and The Avenue.

D.K. Book Mart, (corner of Beach and Central Pattaya Rd), ☎+66 38 429-359. 09:00-00:00 daily. A medium-size bookshop with lots of English titles, including a sizable cook book section, and a worthwhile selection of second-hand paperbacks at 99 baht.

Jeremy's Bookshop, 383/111 Soi Chaiyaphum, ☎+66 38 411-266. 09:00-22:00 daily. An immaculate, library-style English language paperback exchange, large selection, mostly priced around 100-250 baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

Pattaya Beach Books, 1F, P.S. Plaza, 369 Moo 9, and 316/137 Moo 10, Soi Buakhao, ☎+66 38 362-175. 10:00-20:00 daily. Both branches of this book shop have a huge selection of "pre-owned" English language books and magazines. Magazines around 50-60 baht, paperbacks 140-160 baht, hardbacks 180+ baht. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

Star Books, 138/213 Soi Khao Noi, ☎+66 16 36 8189 (books@starbookworm.com), [31]. 09:00-19:00 daily. A well-designed paperback exchange, large selection of used and new, mostly priced around 100-240 baht. Fresh coffee and tea. If you buy a book here and then return it in good condition, you'll get a credit of 50% of the original price towards your next purchase.

Eat

This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:

Budget

Under 100 baht

Mid-range

100-500 baht

Splurge

Over 500 baht

There are many restaurants, food carts, food courts, food markets, motorcyle-sidecar hotdog and meatball vendors, fruit sellers both mobile and stationary, even a roaming coffee peddling tuk-tuk. OK, so the germ theory of disease doesn't yet seem to be widely accepted but don't let that stop you from ordering the sushi. Many (although not all) non-Thai-cuisine restaurants also have at least a limited menu of Thai favourites as well.

Chonburi Province has a lot of fresh seafood and dried fruits. As there are a lot of people from the Isaan region living and working in Pattaya, there is an abundance of northeastern favourites such as spicy papaya salad (som tam) and spicy-sour chopped pork salad (larb).

Budget

The noodle stall next to the entrance to the North Pattaya Rd bus station does a passable ba mii moo daeng (egg noodles with red pork) for 25 baht.

Kiss Food & Drink serves cheap and cheerful Thai and Western favourites 24/7 at two semi-open-air locations, one on Second Rd opposite Mike Shopping Mall, the other facing the Dolphin Roundabout.

Sailor Bar and Restaurant, (about 30 m up Soi 8 from Beach Rd). 07:30-03:00. This may be the best kept secret in Pattaya. Terrific restaurant (also a bar) notable for its 55 baht breakfasts (2 eggs, bacon, ham, toast/jam/butter, juice, coffee). Swiss-Thai establishment with all the cleanliness and efficiency you would expect from the Swiss and all the graciousness and good tasting food you would expect from the Thais.Hamburger 60 baht; khao pat 30 baht; t-bone with fries, potato salad, 120 baht; beer 50 baht, including Heineken.

Subway[33] now has five locations in Pattaya: South Pattaya Rd, next-door-but-one to the entrance to Walking St (24/7); Beach Rd, at the front of Tipp Plaza (09:00-02:00); Second Rd, opposite Soi 1 North Pattaya (10:00-02:00); the corner of Soi Buakow and Soi Diana (10:00-02:00); Central Pattaya Road, on the ground floor of Big C Extra (09:00-23:00), or dial 038 360 083 for free delivery. From 49 baht for a Veggie Delite Deli Style Sandwich up to 2,600 baht for a 6 foot Giant Sub! Sub of the day is 69 baht.

Mid-range

Cool Kitchen in the PS Bowl/Tops Supermarket complex (junction of Central Pattaya Rd and Second Rd) has good Western and Thai food including narm tok mu (spicy pork salad) and yum pla dook fu (crispy catfish salad), and is open 24/7.

Cool House (next to PS Bowl/Tops Supermarket) is Cool Kitchen's sister restaurant, with much the same menu but more ambiance.

Cosa Nostra (north side of Soi 7) is a good Italian-style Pizzeria. Dinner only.

Food Wave food court, top floor of Royal Garden Plaza, is an upscale food court with decent views of the ocean. There's even an Orange Julius[35] nearby.

Maikan Majatalo Finnish restaraunt, huge portions. On some of the dishes "if you're still hungry, you get the second one free" [36]

MK Restaurant has locations in various malls including Central Festival (Big C). A chain of restaurants whose jingle translates as "Eat what? Eat what? Eat what? Go eat MK!" (it loses something in the translation) and that's just what you should do. Here you'll get to boil raw ingredients right at your own table with your own utensils. And don't worry about putting those chopsticks in your mouth after touching that raw chicken, just dip them in the boiling water for a few moments.

Parsa Restaurant is a nice Iranian restaurant serving high quality modern and traditional Iranian food including kebab and khoresht you can enjoy Iranian drink like doogh as well .

Sraan Rest 315/423 Moo 12, Thepprasit Rd Tel. +66 38303039. Serves a variety of Thai and Western food. Sraan Rest counts as one of the higher-end restaurants in Pattaya City. It is distinctive from all other places in the area, located just a 5 mins drive outside the city. The restaurant is set in an open-air garden which is ideal for a relaxing dinner or a small party. It allows you to forget all the street-side noise and enjoy the serene surroundings. The menu reflects creativity using the best of ‘fresh quality.’ Recommended dishes include mouth-watering Sauté Salted Roasted Duck, the interesting Shell in Hell, appetizing chilled prawns, and enjoy Goong Lava (deep fried prawn with Thai herbal dressing with whipped cream on top).

Slices, (north side of Soi Diana Inn, corner of LK Metro). Open very late. An American-style pizzeria. Also burgers and subs.Two slices of pizza, 100 baht.

Ticino Restaurant and Vespa Bar, (east side of Sukhumvit Rd close to Mabprachan Lake), [43]. Garden restaurant with Italian and Swiss cuisine. If the eating is as interesting as the website, it's pretty good.400+ baht.

Vegetarian

Five Star J. Restaurant ("jay"="vegetarian"), at the junction of South Pattaya Road and Third Road; tel. +66-38421105. A small middle-ranged indoor place that's 100% lacto-vegetarian and has a vegetarian owner/manager who speaks good English; also caters for vegans - open 09:00-21:00.

Thammachart Vegetarian Restaurant, 56/36 Moo 5, Amorn Market, Naklua Road; tel. +66-38726911. Basic café-style budget place, also has a very small vegetarian supplies shop. Not much English spoken, but does have a bilingual menu - open Mon-Sat 05:30-17:00.

Vegetarian Club of Pattaya meets at 18:00 on the second Tuesday of every month for an "international vegetarian adventure buffet" (199 baht, reservations required - tel. +66-38710805) at Café New Orleans, Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4).

Vegetarian cafe on the Central Road, between Second and Third roads, it has a big yellow-red sign. Dishes 30-60 baht.

Drink

Pattaya is internationally known for its nightlife—you might want to think twice before heading into the insanity that's called Pattaya. Obviously famous as a sex tourist destination, you don't necessarily have to partake in order to experience Pattaya's fun. More and more visitors come over just to see what the fuss is about. There are ample opportunities to dance, drink, and observe humanity even if paid sex is not of interest. Steer clear of the staid hotel bars and head into the warrens of central Pattaya, where nightclubs, transvestite cabarets, coffee shops, karaoke bars, open-air bars and restaurants with live music and entertainment compete for attention. Most of these establishments are located along Pattaya Beach Rd, Pattaya 2 Rd, and in south Pattaya, which is also the city's major shopping area.

Beer and go-go bars

Open-air beer bars on Beach Road

Pattaya is especially famous for its beer bars, staffed by "bar girls" who are "for hire" to the tourists and expats who drink there. Popular beer bar pastimes include pool, connect-four and shut-the-box.

Open-air beer bars can be found all over Pattaya, with the biggest and best known concentrations being along and around Soi 7/Soi 8 and Walking St, at numerous points on Second Rd, Beach Rd, Soi Buakhao, and in smaller numbers just about everywhere else, including along the southern end of Naklua Rd. Although the staff of a typical beer bar will usually all be working girls, customers who have no intention of paying a "bar fine" (money paid to the bar so that the girl can leave with the customer) are generally very welcome and indeed make up the majority of the clientèle. Indoor beer bars can also be found all over Pattaya, the most notorious areas being Soi Yodsak (Soi 6) and parts of Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2). While some of these bars are much more "bar fine" oriented, in most cases customers who simply want to buy drinks are still welcome.

Go-go bars differ from beer bars as they have bikini-clad girls dancing around chrome poles on stages. The main concentrations are along Walking St and the three Pattayaland streets, with more dotted around the most popular beer bar areas. Sightseeing tourists are welcome in go-go bars, however, cameras are not. Signs prohibiting photography are widespread, and a minority of venues require patrons to deposit their cameras with security staff as they enter. This rule is enforced: if caught snapping shots, you'll be lucky if you're only thrown out and not beaten up.

The official closing time in "entertainment zones" is 01:00, although in practice usually somewhere between 01:00 and 03:00, depending on location. However, "closing" is defined as switching off the music and non-essential lighting, and numerous beer bars remain open 24 hours. Bars outside of these zones close around midnight. So, you're passing through Pattaya and you've set aside a few hours to check out the bar scene—but where to go? The most popular (and generally the most densely concentrated) beer bar and go-go bar locations (listed south to north) are:

Walking Street. Should have been named "Walking, Shopping, Eating, Drinking, Dancing and Ogling Street" as there's plenty of almost everything here—including around 100 beer bars and at least 30 go-go bars, plus many more in the side-sois that lead east towards Pratamnak Road. Worth a look in the daytime, but best visited in the evening, and has loads of restaurants if you're bridging the gap between the two. Gets really packed in places when the nightclubs empty, so watch your pockets.

Pattayaland. Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4) features on many Pattaya postcards—when lit up at night, the go-go bar signs are a memorable and photogenic sight, although there are only eight go-go bars here (two of which feature guys, not girls), plus a half-dozen bars and the Penthouse Hotel. Worth a look in the evening (it's almost a ghost town the rest of the time), but get there before 01:00 as that's when the lights go out.

Boyz Town (Soi Pattayaland 3, no direct access from Beach Rd, runs from the middle of Soi 13/4 to Second Rd) features only male dancers and bars that cater to the gay crowd; Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) has even more all-male go-gos (eight), but does have a couple of girl-go-go bars as well. Pattayaland 1 is relatively dead in the daytime, but Pattayaland 3 has a handful of places to eat and drink that keep it ticking over in the afternoon. There is also a small lesbian scene in Pattaya, with local butch girls called "tom" girls and femme girls called "dee".

Soi L.K. Metro. Between Second Rd and Soi Buakhao lies this relatively new complex. Connecting Soi Diana with Soi Buakhao, Soi L.K., as it is called (not to be confused with Soi Leng Kee) is for the largest part a pedestrian-only street. Cars are parked willy nilly, but that actually serves as a traffic calming system so it is safe to walk. There are lots of outdoor bars and cafes spilling out onto the street, giving it a bit of a European feel. The Metropole Hotel and the Areca Lodge are here.

Soi 7 and Soi 8. There's always something going on here—in the evening and early hours, there are about 120 well-staffed beer bars to choose from, plus a handful of go-go bars; in the morning there are several places that serve breakfast; in the afternoon it's a popular place for those who like to get started early; and at Songkran (Thai New Year) it's unmitigated mayhem. There are several large hotels (light sleepers beware), and Soi 8 also has a few travel agencies, convenience stores.

Soi Yodsak (Soi 6). Imagine a kerb-crawlers paradise—and then pedestrianise it. Arguably Pattaya's most colourful street (as well as the most notorious one), Soi 6 has about 50 bars (mostly "short time" bars, with names such as "Butterfly", "Love Club", "Route 69" and "The Eager Beaver") which all get going at 13:00 and close pretty much on the dot at 01:00. It's not really a pedestrian-only street (but it is one-way), however walking — preferably in broad daylight — is undoubtedly the best and most popular way to experience it. Go in the middle of the afternoon and just wander from one end to the other (if coming from the south, walk from the Second Rd end down to the Beach Rd end if you want to get there and back by songthaew). It's much, much more "sex-tourist" than "tourism" oriented, but anyone is welcome everywhere provided they're buying a drink or three. The curiously named "Hi Boss! 2002 Pub" is where the ladyboys hang out, there's one go-go - "Mandarin" (dancing from 17:00-01:00), plus a couple of "pub" food possibilities; and neighbouring Soi 6/1 has a handful of "ordinary" outdoor beer bars.

Second Road - around the Soi 2 & Soi 3 junctions. On the west side of Second Rd opposite the Central Festival Centre is a collection of about 35 very popular beer bars, which start to fill up from about 16:00, and several of which remain open long after the lights go out around 01:00-02:00. "Atlantic Bar", at the far end of the five-bar strip to the south of Soi 2, always draws a substantial crowd. The only go-go ("Classroom 2", 19:30-02:00) is a lively one, and while there's not much in the way of food in the midst of the bars themselves, there are numerous eating options close nearby (including outlets for most of the major fast-food chains directly opposite on the other side of Second Rd).

Same-same but different

The following go-go and beer bars are a little different from the usual:

Casino Club at the Pratamnak Rd-end of Soi Diamond is an a-go-go with a difference. Not only do the girls dance with their clothes on, but there are no chrome poles! Whatever will they think of next? Update: they also have several shows each night, with girls dancing topless. Despite the name, it's not a casino; maybe it's a disco-a-go-go? The atmosphere is lively, the music is house/techno, the dancing is energetic, the hours are 21:00-07:00 (apparently able to close later than most due to the non-conforming format).

Jenny Star Bar Walking St (below Peppermint Palace) is wall-to-wall transvestites. Seeing is believing, especially late in the evening and in the small hours. It's an open-air bar that spills out onto the pavement, and there's often quite a crowd gawking intently from a safe distance, so mind your pockets.

Peppermint Palace on Walking St (underneath Marine Disco) is probably the largest go-gos in Pattaya. Several stages with young women in various different states of attire. Always full of energy, and always packed (you may be turned away if it's full). Good value drinks-wise.

Tim Bar Beer on Second Rd (opposite Soi 12) is an otherwise relatively run-of-the-mill go-go that plays nothing but DVDs, with a very strong bias towards live performances of rock'n'roll classics. Requests welcome. If in doubt, ask for Meatloaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light". Stage and screen come to life at 18:00 and keep going until at least 02:00 (closing hours not so strictly enforced here as it's not among a bunch of other bars), but get there early as it's a popular place and their army of dancers thins out with prodigious speed.

Beach Inn Beer Garden on Walking St (opposite the FLB Bar) can usually be found blindfolded. Head through to the back and out into the bars that target visitors from the Middle East, and feel the sound - some of the speaker systems here are bigger than a budget hotel room, and it's not difficult to position yourself so that you're being deafened by three or four of them (each one playing something different) all at the same time. (At the other extreme, there used to be a "Quiet Bar" on Second Rd - but it closed not long after it opened, apparently due to lack of demand.)

Carousel Beer Bar is a pair of circular outdoor bars in the centre of Soi Diamond (directly off Walking St) which spin from 17:00 until 03:00. A couple of drinks here and the world really will start to revolve around you.

Siren Bar Complex (Beach Rd, just before the Walking St entrance archway) is a crush of about 25 ancient open-air beer bars (open 16:00-03:00) surrounding a boxing ring (exhibition matches at various intervals between 22:00 and 01:00) The boxers will canvas the punters for tips after each "fight". Get there early in the evening and it looks like there must be a prize on offer for whoever is able to squeeze the greatest number of bar girls into the smallest beer bar. If you sit down here, don't forget to shake the cockroaches out of your clothes as you leave.

Beach Club (towards the Walking St end of Soi 15) is not the only "table dance" format a-go-go in Pattaya, but it's probably the most popular. Patrons are seated around industrial-strength tables which have mirror tops, upward facing spotlights, and of course the obligatory chrome pole; the girls dance on each table in turn, wearing short skirts and... - well if you can't guess the rest then you should probably steer well clear of any Pattaya establishment that mentions the words "table dancing" alongside its name.

Bars and pubs

There are many roadside bars dotted around Pattaya. Live music (especially popular rock oldies) can be heard at several open-air venues along Walking Street, and at various bars elsewhere.

Lovely Corner Bar, (corner of Beach Rd and Soi 7). 08:00-open as long as there are customers. Clean, airy, well-run beer bar in a great location to view the passing scene before plunging into Soi 7. Very accommodating and gracious, relaxed (not pushy) bar girls. Best feature is strong, free Wi-Fi.Beer 60 baht.

Nightclubs

Pattaya has two types of nightclubs—those that are on or near Walking Street, and those that are further away. Those on Walking Street are more popular with Westerners accompanied by bar girls, and with bar girls looking for customers.

The best known are:

Club Insomnia, (on Walking St). House music, cheap drinks, late licence, European DJ's,

Lima Lima. Famous for bringing the world's top 10 DJ's to Pattaya and also for its live R'n'B band. The place to go from 22:00 to 00:30 thanks to the happy hour.Free entry; drinks as cheap as 45 baht during happy hour.

Lucifer - popular with young Thai people, although this is not a typical Thai discotheque. Only R 'n B, sometimes with special guest DJ's. A good place to go at about 02:00-03:00; extremely crowded after midnight. Free entry, expensive drinks.

Marine Disco (on Walking St) - large dance floor and plays house music (it's the house music counterpart of Lucifer). Free entry, but drinks are expensive.

Marine 2 (just off Walking St) - the same music as Marine Disco; this was the place to go before Insomnia opened.

MIXX (at the end of Walking St), Has R 'n B and house rooms (two rooms in one disco). Drinks are expensive.

Tony's Entertainment Complex[45] (on Walking St) has an attractive and stylish interior, great live music and service. Free entry, but incredibly expensive drinks - and a 5,000 baht fine if you're caught bringing your own in!

Tony 2 - not as well known as Tony's Entertainment Complex, but also very pricey.

The ones further away from Walking Street are generally more typical Thai nightclubs: no special area for dancing, but lots of shows and great atmosphere. Admission is usually around 300 baht and includes one free drink.

Chivas Palace (formerly Palladium, on Second Rd)

Hollywood Disco (recently moved to a new location in north Pattaya)

Star Dice Entertainment on Naklua Rd (not Star Dice Beach on Beach Rd) - one of the few discos in Pattaya that doesn't dual-price foreigners.

Xzyte Entertainment, Third Rd.

There is also one club which is not first type, neither second:

The Beach Club, is the open-air venue. It hosts afternoon parties with the best view of sunsets in town each Friday and each second Saturday. Grand fiestas, each of them has a different theme - Brazilian, disco, house, etc.

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:

Budget

Under 1,000 baht

Mid-range

1,000 to 2,500 baht

Splurge

Over 2,500 baht

Pattaya has an extensive selection of inexpensive mid-range accommodation, and a good variety of more upmarket options. Standard rooms (double bed, air-con, cable TV, refrigerator, hot shower) start from 400 baht/night, and rates are invariably per room, not per person. Soi Buakhao has many relatively cheap guest houses and is popular with long-stay visitors, with other budget places along Soi LK Metro and Soi Honey Inn. Very few of these can be booked online, or appear on hotel booking sites. The cheaper places are often above bars or massage shops, and may therefore be noisy at night. There's generally no need to book in advance.

Like all resort areas in Thailand, hotel pricing is highly seasonal. High season dates vary from hotel to hotel, but typically prices go up considerably during the Christmas-New Year's period (which co-incides neatly with the season of best weather), and are lower between February and October/November. In addition to higher rates during the holiday period, guests staying over Christmas and New Year's Eve will often be required to pay for compulsory "gala dinners" which can substantially increase the cost of the room. In recent years some hotels have started to insist that March is also covered by 'high season' prices — presumably because professional Western visitors are usually free to visit during a long Easter holiday break from work, and are happy to do so despite the worsening weather.

With the exception of large resorts or international chains such as the Hard Rock and Marriott, the lowest rates available from abroad are typically those available from the hotels directly. Except for the least expensive, many will handle reservations via email or a web form. Many will expect a deposit, especially during high season, usually by credit card or bank transfer.

While some hotels do not allow working girls to accompany guests to their rooms, the majority of hotels in Pattaya are used to (and even expect) it — though some "upmarket" hotels may charge a "joiner fee" for unregistered visitors as discouragement. In most hotels, security staff will keep hold of visitors' ID cards until they leave, to help protect the client from possible theft or assault, and to deter prostitutes under 20 years of age from entering the hotel. On leaving, staff will ask the girl if she had any complaints about the client.

For visitors who simply want to sleep soundly, a box of high-grade foam earplugs is a wise investment when staying at many Pattaya hotels. Also be aware that many hotels in Pattaya allow smoking in all rooms. This is nearly universal in the budget range. With the exception of those operated under the auspices of large international chains, those hotels that have dedicated non-smoking rooms will typically only have a few of them. If you are intolerant of tobacco smoke, make sure to inquire directly with the hotels about their policies and the availability of non-smoking rooms.

Marin Place, 111/253 M.10 Soi Buakhao, tel. +66 38-429960 (marin_place@hotmail.com ). Small hotel at the southern end of Soi Buakhao, close to the Tue/Fri market. Rooms are 600 baht per night with air-con, minibar, TV and WiFi. There is a small swimming pool. Some rooms have older, noisy air-conditioning units but others have new LG units. Ask to see first.

Mangoes Guest House, GPS Lat 12 47 33, Long 100 55 28 32, [52]- 15 km outside of Pattaya, on the road to Khao Chee Chan Buddha Image and close to the beaches and fishing villages of Ban Saray and Ban Amphur. Quiet laid back gardens with a choice of bungalow or room accommodation. All rooms have TV, air conditioning, fan, hot shower and tea making facilities. Long or short term availability. Rooms from 400 baht/night.

Opey De Place, 312/86 M9 Soi Lengkee1, ☎+66 038-424732, [54]. Located near LK Metro, hotel complex with many decent rooms, WiFi, elevator and ground floor swimming pool. Small lockers provided next to reception, but no safe deposit box in the rooms. 800 baht.

Queen Victoria Inn, Soi Yodsak (Soi 6); tel. +66-38425418, [55] has rooms ranging from 500 to 800 baht, and a single penthouse suite for 2,100 baht. Free WiFi. Although the rooms themselves are clean and the staff is reasonably friendly, its location - right in the heart of Soi 6 - is downright noisy and the shouting in the street does not subside till early morning.

Romeo Palace Hotel, [56] 500/21-22, Pattaya-Naklua Rd. At the tranquil end of north Pattaya, yet only a minute away from all the fun &entertainment of the resort's centre. It's only a 5 minute walk to Wonge Amat Beach.

Sawasdee Seaview, 2 minutes walk to Pattaya Beach, [57]. A middle range budget hotel located next to Pattaya Beach. Cheap, clean and convenient. CCTV security camera on every floor with 24-hour security guard on duty. Cheaper rooms in the old building are a little bit dingy, superior and deluxe rooms in the new wing are spacious and pleasant, but significantly more expensive.

Siam Sawasdee, Soi Buakhao, [58]. Great budget hotel with price start from 750 baht per night. CCTV security camera on each floor with live security guard 24 hour on duty. Hotel facilities include lift, swimming pool, and all room include buffet American breakfast. Value for money.

Skytop Guest House, 2nd Rd, near Soi 6, [59]. Australian-owned budget guest house with outdoor bar and Internet cafe, friendly English-speaking staff. Fast, reliable ADSL cable connection (not WiFi) in each room and safe. The guest house will provide you with CAT-cable to get access to Internet. Even if you don't have Ethernet connection on your laptop you can get access to the net if you have a WiFi router with you. CCTV security camera on every floor. Close to the infamous Soi 6, Alcazar Caberet Show and many restaurants and beer bars nearby. 450 baht per night small fan room (no window), 550 baht for air-con medium room (no window,) and 700 air-con large room.

The Stags Head Pattaya Guest House and Bar, 33/77-78 Soi LK Metro,[60], English-owned budget guest house with bar and restaurant. Friendly English-speaking staff. WiFi (spotty), cable TV, and safe in each room. Indoor bar with pool table. Has an outside entrance for those who don't like taking their overnight companion through the bar. Rates start from 500 baht per night small air-con room

Wonderful Bar, on the corner of Second Rd and Soi Yamoto (Soi 13/1), tel. +66 38 425 640. Has very basic rooms with air-con, TV, hot shower. Clean and tidy but old and well-worn, and not so quiet in the evenings—but nevertheless often fully booked. Small rooms 300-350 baht, larger rooms 350-400 baht. Pay upfront for a few days in advance to get the lower rates.

Dynasty Inn, [64] has two locations in Pattaya: Dynasty Inn, Soi 13, South Pattaya; tel. +66 38 415941 and Dynasty Resort, Buddha Hill; tel. +66 38 250721. Free minibus transfers between the Pattaya locations and Dynasty Inn Bangkok (Sukhumvit, Soi Nana) for guests. Dynasty Inn was built in 2003, and is in the central shopping area, close to the main night life areas; Dynasty Resort is further south, a short songthaew ride from the main tourist areas. Regular rate is 1480 baht for a standard room at the Soi 13 Inn, although some discounts may apply. The Dynasty properties will reliably book non-smoking rooms.

Flipper House Hotel, 213/2 Soi 7, Pattaya Beach Rd (Soi 7), ☎+66 83 61667, [65]. Located in the heart of the best known cluster of beer bars in Pattaya.rooms starting at 1200 baht.

Flipper Lodge Hotel, 520/1 Soi 8, Pattaya Beach Rd (Soi 8), ☎+66 38 426401, [66]. Located in the heart of the best known cluster of beer bars in Pattaya, a stones throw from its sister hotel.

Pattaya Centre Hotel, Soi 12, [72]. This high-rise hotel is popular and conveniently located for the central shopping areas. Rooms are spacious and have very nice views. Has been hit or miss for non-smoking rooms in the past; prices have escalated significantly with the recent refurbishment. From 1,900 baht.

Penthouse Hotel, Soi Pattayaland 2 (Soi 13/4), tel. +66 95 441430 [73]. Marketed as an "adult fantasy" hotel featuring "theme rooms" and located right in very centre of the main go-go district and directly attached to a go-go bar, it's an older property that's somewhat the worse for wear. Rooms from 700 baht, suites from 2,300 baht.

The Residence Garden, [74]. This is a popular out-of-the-way location, a short walk from the intersection of South Pattaya Rd and Pattaya Second Rd, and is a good choice for those looking for somewhere quieter. It has relatively new facilities, with 1 and 2 bedroom suites from 1,600 baht directly; discounted lower rates are sometimes available through other sources.

Sabai Group operates a pair of hotels on opposite sides of Soi 2, the Sabai Lodge[80] and the Sabai Inn[81], both of which offer a wide range of room classes between 700 and 3,000 baht.

Sandy Spring Hotel, Soi 13, [82]. This is a new moderately priced hotel. Located in the central shopping area, close to the main night life areas. Also has a sister hotel Summer Spring situated on Soi 1.

Sunbeam Hotel Pattaya Beach Soi 8 [83], tel. +66 38 427120-9 One of the coziest centrally located hotels close to the beach and shopping arcades.

Club Aviva, 100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong (20 minutes inland from Pattaya, free pickup on request), tel. +66 38 735 050 [86]. Part of Horseshoe Point and intended primarily for riders; also has a tennis court, swimming pool and basic spa. The buildings and grounds are decorated in a faux-Spanish style with all expected facilities, including two decent restaurants. Doubles with breakfast from 2300 baht.

Royal Cliff Hotels Group. 353 Phra Tamnuk Rd, tel. +66 38 250 421 [90]. Occupies a 64 acre estate along with a beautiful beach. This is the only resort in Thailand to be elevated to the TTG Travel Hall of Fame. The resort consists of four hotels each with its own style and ambiance.

Stay safe

Traffic

For most people, the most hazardous aspect of visiting Pattaya is the traffic. The top three accident black spots are:

Most accidents in Pattaya involve motorbikes, and are especially common late at night and in the early hours of the morning, when drunk driving is a significant problem. Be careful on the roads, even if you're just crossing one on foot (and be equally careful both on and off pedestrian crossings, as Thai drivers generally ignore them, and many foreigners seem to approach them with the hope of scoring double points); be careful on the pavements too. Obstacles apparently purpose-engineered to trip up as many people as possible are commonplace, and motorcyclists use footpaths as short cuts with impunity. When riding in the back of an otherwise empty songthaew, it's probably safest to sit directly behind the cab.

In the event of an accident, the injured are usually bundled into the back of the next available songthaew or pickup truck or even onto the back of a motorbike (now you know why Pattaya has so many songthaews, why Thailand is the world's second-biggest pickup truck market, and why so many Thais ride motorbikes).

A completely different genre of traffic-related accident was highlighted by a fatality in January 2006 when a surfacing diver was hit by a speedboat propeller near Ko Laan. Unfortunately, the popularity of Pattaya's beaches combined with a relatively relaxed attitude to safety concerns in general means that swimmers and divers (and even sunbathers on the beach!) being struck by speedboats and jet skis is not such a rare occurrence.

Scams

Some of the scams to be wary of:

Jet-skiing rentals are available along all the popular beaches, with rates starting around 600 baht for 30 minutes. A common scam involves some operators attempting to collect surcharges for supposed damage - call the Tourist Police (1155) if necessary.

Be careful with doing relatively small purchases with 1,000 baht notes, particularly in bars and nightlife venues. A common scam is that a waiter will give you back insufficient change, insisting that you paid with a 500 baht note. It's your word against the waiter's, so it is nearly impossible to prove that you in fact paid with a 1,000 baht note. You can try to get the manager involved, but he/she generally plays along. To avoid this, you can explicitly let the waiter state that you are paying with a 1,000 baht note beforehand, but it's probably wiser to avoid paying with 1,000 baht notes at all.

Police

The Tourist Police (☎ 1155, [91]) relocated from Second Road to new purpose-built offices on Pratamnak Road — they are now located next door to the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Information Office, exactly 1 km south of the junction of Second Road and South Pattaya Road — proceed along Pratamnak Road, continue straight up the hill, and where the road bears sharp right part way up, turn sharp left into the small side-soi. Alternatively, their mobile minivan office which sets up every evening at the junction of Walking Street, South Pattaya Road, and Beach Road is much easier to reach.

The Pattaya Tourist Police advise that in theory foreigners should carry their passports with them at all times, however they also suggest that in practice a good photocopy (personal details page, visa and entry stamp pages, and TM card) is acceptable.

Crime

Like most of Thailand, Pattaya is generally safe for tourists and violent crime such as mugging or robbery is unusual, with the exception of jewellery and bag snatching (usually with the thieves on motorcycles, and often with the victims on motorcycles too) which is endemic.

Beware of lady boys approaching you with questions ("Where you from?") and later she and/or her friend try to kiss you just in order to snatch your jewellery. In fact leave all your gold and valuables at the room safe or even at home.

Watch out when doing water sports at the beach areas. There is a common tourist trap where tourists going for jet ski-ing are being forced to pay for equipment damages (which are not caused by the tourists) amounting up to 100K baht. Even after negotiations and intervention from the related embassies and agencies, a payment of around 10K baht is still required for the damages. Thus, you must exercise extreme caution when doing equipment loans or doing sports on vehicles provided by the shops.

Swindles and pickpocketing are more commonly encountered by tourists. It is very inadvisable not to tell anyone that it is your first visit to Thailand, since you will then be marked down as an 'easy touch'.

The nightlife/entertainment areas have a lot of activity and are generally very safe, however pickpockets are a problem, especially on Walking Street when it's crowded, despite the official Tourist Police patrolling the area at night. For this reason, a visitor should not carry a passport and/or credit card with them, especially at night. These should be left in the safe at your hotel along with the bulk of your cash, or if they must be carried then they should be securely concealed. If you have been pick pocketed and then you actually spot the likely pickpocket departing, do not follow. You could be mistaken, and you almost certainly will be accused of being mistaken. Just put it down to experience, and leave the immediate area.

Never ever 'pick a fight' in any circumstance, no matter how much you have had to drink. Never try to intervene, even verbally, in an argument between two or more Thai people.

No matter how much you are being pestered, just smile and walk on. In cash payments, disputes over the value of notes and the amount of change can be avoided by carrying smaller notes and trying to give near enough the exact amount.

The beach side of Beach Road used to be worth avoiding late at night, however the entire length of both the promenade and beach are now floodlit, and although it's still a popular haunt for "freelance" working girls, it's now much busier from dusk through until dawn and by no means a "no-go" area.

Visitors should not visit entertainment venues that do not display a long-standing fixed sign outside, or which appear to be very poorly lit inside. Also, one or two of the hundreds of seemingly bright and established venues may actually be operating as a 'clip joint', offering free admission and then refusing to allow visitors to leave until they have settled a faked bill for non-existent drinks. Again, it is wisest simply pay up, leave and put it down to experience.

As always, travellers should take extra care in all poorly lit or more remote areas, and very late at night. This is especially the case if one has had too much to drink.

Most reputable hotels will require the presentation of ID cards by guests. Throughout Pattaya guests will not be admitted to hotel rooms if they are under the age of 20. This is a useful way for tourists to guarantee that their new-found friend is actually the age he/she says she is, and thus avoid possible police attention.

Drugs: as in all of Thailand, the penalties for possession and/or distribution of drugs are harsh.

Gambling: is illegal in Thailand, and the local press reports Pattaya Police as having a "zero tolerance" policy for gambling offences.

Drinking

The legal minimum age for customers in drinking establishments and discos is 20. In Pattaya this is rarely enforced for foreigners, but is frequently enforced for Thais, including those accompanying foreigners. Pattaya police conduct raids to check for underage employees (especially in "indoor" and go-go bars) and patrons (especially in discos) from time to time, and less frequently to enforce closing times. Foreign tourists are not the targets of these raids and are usually asked to produce ID (photocopy of photo/ID page of passport will normally suffice) and then allowed to leave, but are sometimes tested for drugs via an on-the-spot urine sample.

Contact

Internet

Internet access is widely available in Pattaya, and speed and reliability of the connection is generally good; however, as is the case throughout Thailand, quality varies. The majority of Internet shops tend to open late and close late, but many are open 24/7; prices range from 120 baht/hr down to 20 baht/hr. One baht/min is typical for predominantly tourist-oriented shops, many of which also offer lower rates for pre-paid blocks of time. It's not difficult to find well-equipped, quiet, air-conditioned Internet cafés that charge 30 baht/hr if you shop around a little; likewise shops that can accommodate users who want to hook up their own laptops can easily be found. Printing (black/white) is usually 10 baht/page (30 baht/page for colour).

Many Internet cafés and photo-processing shops have facilities for off-loading digital photos from memory cards and burning them to a CD, for which the going rate is 100 baht per CD. As always, carefully verify the integrity of the images on the CD before re-formatting the memory card, and consider having two copies burned to CD — one CD to send home by mail, the other CD to take home in your luggage as a backup.

Telephone

The area code for Pattaya is 038. You only need to dial the 0 if you're calling from within Thailand. Overseas calls can be made from many agencies and Internet shops, as well as guest houses and hotels — most advertise a rate of 10 baht/min (or 20 baht/min to mobile phones). Using local SIM card may be a cheaper and more convenient alternative.

Post

Pattaya has several post offices, the most central of which can be found (believe it or not) halfway along Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2). As well as the usual postal services, it handles Western Union transactions and hosts a large number of post/security boxes. On weekdays (except public holidays) it's open 08:30-16:30, and on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays it's open 09:00-12:00; ☎ +66 38 429-340(-1). One-stop-shops that handle DHL, EMS, FedEx, TNT, and UPS are relatively common. Try:

Money Transfer

If you need money sent to you urgently then there are many Western Union agents located throughout Pattaya. If you regularly visit Thailand or for extended periods then it might be worth opening a local bank account to avoid the high ATM charges for International bank cards as well as fluctuating exchange rates.

Cope

Publications

Pattaya has several foreign language newspapers; most come out weekly. The English newspapers include Pattaya Times, Pattaya Today, Pattaya Mail, and Pattaya People Weekly. Additionally, there are French, Norwegian, German, Russian and Japanese publications. There are also several tourist magazines and nightlife, most of them coming out monthly.

Immigration office

The Pattaya Immigration Office[99] is now housed in new premises near the inland end of Soi 5, Jomtien Beach Road. Opening hours are 08:30-16:30 weekdays, 08:30-12:00 (extentions/notifications only) on Saturdays (☎ +66 38 252-750); casual but smart attire is OK, however entry in swimwear or without a shirt is not permitted.

Entry permit extensions are processed on a same day (if applied for before noon — collect after 15:00) or next working day (if applied for after noon). On Saturdays, previous applications can be collected, and new applications can be submitted (for collection next working day). For most nationalities, a 30 day entry permit stamp will usually be extended to 45 days (whereas in Bangkok only an additional 10 days will be given) and a 60 day entry permit stamp will usually be extended to 90 days (further extensions beyond 90 days are also possible). In all cases, the entry permit extension fee is 1,900 baht, and two passport photos must be supplied. Photocopies (5 baht) and photos (100 baht for two) are available from a shop inside the immigration office compound (these prices are about four times as much as can easily be found elsewhere). Note that entry permit extensions are discretionary, and must be applied for in person. Shorter extensions are likely to be issued to nationalities who do not qualify for "visa free" entry; longer extensions are issued in certain circumstances.

Airline offices

Various online and print resources give Pattaya addresses for Kuwait Airways, Orient Thai/Orient Express/One-Two-Go, and Thai Russian Air Service — however all these offices have been closed. The following airlines still have offices in place:

Laundry

Small laundry services abound, charging by the piece. Prices start at 5 baht/underwear, 8 baht/shirt, 10 baht/trousers,15 baht/jeans; if you have a lot, a few will charger larger loads by weight. All hotels and guesthouses worth their salt also cater for this, although prices tend to be higher -- starting about double the above at inexpensive places, running up to international chains and similar large splurge properties where it can run well above 100 baht/piece.

In smaller and more informally managed accommodation, the maid who cleans your room will probably welcome the opportunity to boost her meager salary and do your laundry by hand, typically for a few baht more than an outside laundry service. Usually it's a next day service, but might take a little longer if it rains.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!